Eoin Liston
Encyclopedia
Eoin 'Bomber' Liston is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played Gaelic football
with his local club Beale
, his divisional side Shannon Rangers and was a member of the Kerry
senior inter-county team from 1978 until 1993. Liston is regarded as one of the greatest full-forwards in the history of the game.
. He lined out in the county championship with Shannon Rangers. In 1977 he was a member of the side that defeated Feale Rangers to take the county senior championship title. It was Liston's only victory in the county championship.
By the late 1970s Liston had joined the Kerry
under-21 football team, He captured a Munster
title in this grade in 1977 following a two-goal defeat of Cork. Liston's side later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Down
providing the opposition. A 1-11 to 1-5 score line gave Kerry the victory and gave Liston a coveted All-Ireland
winners' medal.
In 1978 Liston made it two Munster under-21 titles in-a-row as Kerry retained their provincial crown at the expense of Cork. He later lined out in a second All-Ireland final. Roscommon
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, a close game developed. At the final whistle Kerry were defeated by 1-9 to 1-8.
winners'. Kerry later qualified for a third All-Ireland final in four years, with Liston playing at full-forward in his first championship decider. Old rivals Dublin
provided the opposition, however, the game turned into a rout. The game is chiefly remembered for Mikey Sheehy
's sensational goal. The Kerry forward lobbed over the ball over the head of Paddy Cullen
, who was caught off his line arguing with the referee. Liston announced his arrival on the inter-county scene and scored a hat-trick of goals. Pat Spillane
played all over the field, including goalkeeper after Charlie Nelligan
was sent off. At the full-time whistle Kerry were the winners by 5-11 to 0-9.
In 1979 Kerry made it five-in-a-row in Munster as Cork fell by ten points in the provincial final. It was Liston's second Munster title. He later went in search of a second consecutive All-Ireland medal. Dublin provided the opposition for the fifth consecutive occasion. Kerry were handicapped throughout the game. Ger Power
did not start the game, while John O'Keeffe got injured and Páidí Ó Sé
was sent off during the encounter. Two goals by Mikey Sheehy and a third by John Egan helped 'the Kingdom' to a 3-13 to 1-8 victory. It was Liston's second All-Ireland winners' medal.
Kerry's dominance continued in 1980. Another defeat of Cork in the provincial final gave Liston a third Munster winners' medal in succession. Another All-Ireland final appearance beckoned, this time with Roscommon providing the opposition. The Connacht champions shocked Kerry and took a five-point lead inside the first twelve minutes. Mikey Sheehy popped up again to score the decisive goal, as Kerry went on to claim a 1-9 to 1-6 victory in a game that contained sixty-four frees. The victory gave Kerry and Liston a third All-Ireland title in succession.
In 1981 Liston won his fourth consecutive Munster title, before lining out in the All-Ireland final against Offaly
. Kerry had an easy win with seven players combing for a great goal. He captured his fourth All-Ireland winners' medal that day as Kerry won by 1-12 to 0-8.
In 1982 Liston won his first National Football League
medal before Kerry secured an eighth consecutive Munster final victory over Cork, giving him a fifth provincial winners' medal. The All-Ireland final pitted 'the Kingdom' against Offaly for the second year in-a-row. Kerry had the upper hand for much of the game and were leading by two points with two minutes left to be played. The game, however, was not over as Offaly substitute Séamus Darby
, who had entered the game almost unnoticed, produced the most spectacular of finishes by scoring a late goal. Kerry failed to score again to level the match and Offaly went on to win their third All-Ireland title ever. Kerry's five-in-a-row dream was shattered.
Kerry missed out on an historic nine-in-a-row in Munster in 1983, as Cork finally triumphed. 'The Kingdom' bounced back the following year with Liston winning his second National League medal and his sixth Munster title. The centenary-year All-Ireland final pitted Kerry against old rivals and reigning champions Dublin. 'The Kingdon' dominated the game from start to finish. Only two Dublin forwards scored as Kerry ran out easy winners by 0-14 to 1-6. It was Liston's fifth All-Ireland winners' medal.
Kerry made no mistake again in 1985. A two-goal victory over Cork gave Liston a seventh Munster winners' medal. Another All-Ireland final beckoned, with Dublin providing the opposition for a second consecutive year. Jack O'Shea
scored a key goal after eleven minutes and Kerry stormed to a nine-point lead at half-time. 'The Dubs' came storming back with Joe McNally
scoring two goals. The gap could not be bridged and Kerry won by 2-1 to 2-8. The victory gave Liston an impressive sixth All-Ireland winners' medal.
In 1986 Kerry's dominance showed no sign of disappearing. Cork fell again in the provincial final, giving Liston an eighth Munster title. An eighth All-Ireand final appearance quickly followed and it turned out to be an historic occasion. Tyrone
provided the opposition in their first-ever championship decider. A Peter Quinn goal gave the Ulster men a six-point lead in the second-half, however, the game was far from over. Spillane ran fifty yards up the field for a hand-passed goal to get Kerry back on track. Mikey Sheehy scored a second goal to give 'the Kingdom' a 2-15 to 1-10 victory. It was Liston's seventh All-Ireland medal.
The glory days were now over for Kerry as Cork captured the next four Munster titles. Liston retired from inter-county activity, however, he was recalled to the squad in 1993. It was an unsuccessful year for Kerry and Liston entered into permanent retirement following Kerry's exit from the championship.
in the inter-provincial football competition and enjoyed much success. He first lined out with his province in 1979, however, Munster were defeated on that occasion. Liston's side lost out again in 1980, however, in 1981 he won his first Railway Cup winners' medal as Connacht
were accounted for. It was the first of two titles in-a-row for Munster and for Liston. He lined out in the next three inter-provincial campaigns also, however, Munster were defeated on all three occasions.
to a defeat of Kilcummin
and a first county title in forty-five years.
Liston also served as a selector under Sean Boylan
for the Irish compromise rules football teams in 2006 and 2008. He is also frequently touted as a possible future manager of the Kerry senior inter-county team.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He played Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
with his local club Beale
Beale GAA
Beale GAA are a Gaelic Football club that are based in Ballybunion, County Kerry, Ireland.-Honours:*North Kerry Senior Football Championship 7: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1989,-Notable players:...
, his divisional side Shannon Rangers and was a member of the Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
senior inter-county team from 1978 until 1993. Liston is regarded as one of the greatest full-forwards in the history of the game.
Club
Liston played his club football with his local club called BealeBeale GAA
Beale GAA are a Gaelic Football club that are based in Ballybunion, County Kerry, Ireland.-Honours:*North Kerry Senior Football Championship 7: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1989,-Notable players:...
. He lined out in the county championship with Shannon Rangers. In 1977 he was a member of the side that defeated Feale Rangers to take the county senior championship title. It was Liston's only victory in the county championship.
Minor & under-21
He never played minor football for Kerry.By the late 1970s Liston had joined the Kerry
Kerry GAA
The Kerry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kerry...
under-21 football team, He captured a Munster
Munster Under-21 Football Championship
The Munster Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Munster, in Ireland....
title in this grade in 1977 following a two-goal defeat of Cork. Liston's side later qualified for the All-Ireland final with Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
providing the opposition. A 1-11 to 1-5 score line gave Kerry the victory and gave Liston a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months...
winners' medal.
In 1978 Liston made it two Munster under-21 titles in-a-row as Kerry retained their provincial crown at the expense of Cork. He later lined out in a second All-Ireland final. Roscommon
Roscommon GAA
For more details of Roscommon GAA see Roscommon Senior Club Football Championship or Roscommon Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Roscommon County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Roscommon GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games...
provided the opposition on that occasion, however, a close game developed. At the final whistle Kerry were defeated by 1-9 to 1-8.
Senior
Liston made his senior inter-county debut with Kerry in 1978, and it proved to be a successful year. Kerry faced little competition in the provincial championship once again. A defeat of Cork gave Liston a coveted MunsterMunster Senior Football Championship
The Munster Senior Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition in the game of football played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council and are played during the summer months...
winners'. Kerry later qualified for a third All-Ireland final in four years, with Liston playing at full-forward in his first championship decider. Old rivals Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
provided the opposition, however, the game turned into a rout. The game is chiefly remembered for Mikey Sheehy
Mikey Sheehy
Mikey Sheehy is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Austin Stacks and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1974 until 1987. Sheehy is regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time.-Club:Sheehy played his club football with the...
's sensational goal. The Kerry forward lobbed over the ball over the head of Paddy Cullen
Paddy Cullen
Paddy Cullen is a former inter-county goalkeeper and manager with the Dublin GAA senior football team. During his player career Cullen won three All-Irelands and four all-stars awards....
, who was caught off his line arguing with the referee. Liston announced his arrival on the inter-county scene and scored a hat-trick of goals. Pat Spillane
Pat Spillane
Patrick Gerard Spillane , better known as Pat Spillane, is a retired Gaelic footballer and well known Irish sports pundit. He played Gaelic football with his local club Templenoe and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1991...
played all over the field, including goalkeeper after Charlie Nelligan
Charlie Nelligan
Charlie Nelligan is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Castleisland Desmonds and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1976 until 1991.-Club:...
was sent off. At the full-time whistle Kerry were the winners by 5-11 to 0-9.
In 1979 Kerry made it five-in-a-row in Munster as Cork fell by ten points in the provincial final. It was Liston's second Munster title. He later went in search of a second consecutive All-Ireland medal. Dublin provided the opposition for the fifth consecutive occasion. Kerry were handicapped throughout the game. Ger Power
Ger Power
Ger Power is an Irish retired sportsperson. He played Gaelic football with his local club Austin Stack's and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1973 until 1988. Power captained Kerry to the All-Ireland title in 1980.-Early life:Ger Power was born in Annacotty, County...
did not start the game, while John O'Keeffe got injured and Páidí Ó Sé
Páidí Ó Sé
Páidí Ó Sé is a retired Irish Gaelic football manager and former player. He played football with his local club An Ghaeltacht and was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1975 until 1987...
was sent off during the encounter. Two goals by Mikey Sheehy and a third by John Egan helped 'the Kingdom' to a 3-13 to 1-8 victory. It was Liston's second All-Ireland winners' medal.
Kerry's dominance continued in 1980. Another defeat of Cork in the provincial final gave Liston a third Munster winners' medal in succession. Another All-Ireland final appearance beckoned, this time with Roscommon providing the opposition. The Connacht champions shocked Kerry and took a five-point lead inside the first twelve minutes. Mikey Sheehy popped up again to score the decisive goal, as Kerry went on to claim a 1-9 to 1-6 victory in a game that contained sixty-four frees. The victory gave Kerry and Liston a third All-Ireland title in succession.
In 1981 Liston won his fourth consecutive Munster title, before lining out in the All-Ireland final against Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
. Kerry had an easy win with seven players combing for a great goal. He captured his fourth All-Ireland winners' medal that day as Kerry won by 1-12 to 0-8.
In 1982 Liston won his first National Football League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
medal before Kerry secured an eighth consecutive Munster final victory over Cork, giving him a fifth provincial winners' medal. The All-Ireland final pitted 'the Kingdom' against Offaly for the second year in-a-row. Kerry had the upper hand for much of the game and were leading by two points with two minutes left to be played. The game, however, was not over as Offaly substitute Séamus Darby
Séamus Darby
Séamus Darby is an Irish former sportsperson who played Gaelic football for County Offaly in the 1970s and 1980s...
, who had entered the game almost unnoticed, produced the most spectacular of finishes by scoring a late goal. Kerry failed to score again to level the match and Offaly went on to win their third All-Ireland title ever. Kerry's five-in-a-row dream was shattered.
Kerry missed out on an historic nine-in-a-row in Munster in 1983, as Cork finally triumphed. 'The Kingdom' bounced back the following year with Liston winning his second National League medal and his sixth Munster title. The centenary-year All-Ireland final pitted Kerry against old rivals and reigning champions Dublin. 'The Kingdon' dominated the game from start to finish. Only two Dublin forwards scored as Kerry ran out easy winners by 0-14 to 1-6. It was Liston's fifth All-Ireland winners' medal.
Kerry made no mistake again in 1985. A two-goal victory over Cork gave Liston a seventh Munster winners' medal. Another All-Ireland final beckoned, with Dublin providing the opposition for a second consecutive year. Jack O'Shea
Jack O'Shea
Jack O’Shea is a retired Irish sportsperson. He played football at various times with his local clubs St. Mary’s in Kerry and Leixlip in Kildare. He was a member of the Kerry senior inter-county team from 1976 until 1992...
scored a key goal after eleven minutes and Kerry stormed to a nine-point lead at half-time. 'The Dubs' came storming back with Joe McNally
Joe McNally
Joe McNally is an American photographer who has been shooting for the National Geographic Society since 1987.McNally was born in Montclair, New Jersey. He received his bachelor's and graduate degrees from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University...
scoring two goals. The gap could not be bridged and Kerry won by 2-1 to 2-8. The victory gave Liston an impressive sixth All-Ireland winners' medal.
In 1986 Kerry's dominance showed no sign of disappearing. Cork fell again in the provincial final, giving Liston an eighth Munster title. An eighth All-Ireand final appearance quickly followed and it turned out to be an historic occasion. Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
provided the opposition in their first-ever championship decider. A Peter Quinn goal gave the Ulster men a six-point lead in the second-half, however, the game was far from over. Spillane ran fifty yards up the field for a hand-passed goal to get Kerry back on track. Mikey Sheehy scored a second goal to give 'the Kingdom' a 2-15 to 1-10 victory. It was Liston's seventh All-Ireland medal.
The glory days were now over for Kerry as Cork captured the next four Munster titles. Liston retired from inter-county activity, however, he was recalled to the squad in 1993. It was an unsuccessful year for Kerry and Liston entered into permanent retirement following Kerry's exit from the championship.
Inter-provincial
Liston also lined out with MunsterMunster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
in the inter-provincial football competition and enjoyed much success. He first lined out with his province in 1979, however, Munster were defeated on that occasion. Liston's side lost out again in 1980, however, in 1981 he won his first Railway Cup winners' medal as Connacht
Connacht GAA
The Connacht Council are a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Connacht.-Constituent counties:*Galway*Leitrim*Mayo*Roscommon*Sligo-Special counties:...
were accounted for. It was the first of two titles in-a-row for Munster and for Liston. He lined out in the next three inter-provincial campaigns also, however, Munster were defeated on all three occasions.
Managerial career
In retirement from playing Liston became involved in team management. In 2002 he guided Kerins O'Rahilly'sKerins O'Rahilly's
Kerins O'Rahilly's are a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Tralee County Kerry, Ireland. They are based in the Strand Road area of the town. They are in Division 1 of the county league which they won in 2006, and compete in the County Championship. The club won the County Championship last in...
to a defeat of Kilcummin
Kilcummin GAA
Kilcummin is a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Kilcummin, Killarney in County Kerry, Ireland. The club fields teams in Gaelic football only, with no hurling played. Together with 12 other football clubs Kilcummin is a Gaelic Athletic Association club from Kilcummin, Killarney in County...
and a first county title in forty-five years.
Liston also served as a selector under Sean Boylan
Seán Boylan
Seán Boylan is a former football manager from Dunboyne, County Meath, Ireland. He retired from his position as manager of the Meath GAA Senior Football team on the evening of 31 August 2005 after twenty-three years in charge...
for the Irish compromise rules football teams in 2006 and 2008. He is also frequently touted as a possible future manager of the Kerry senior inter-county team.